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Urban training Canadian-style
By Capt Ben McLennan
Edition 1170, July 12, 2007 |
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| Shared knowledge: WO2 Les Hapgood trains with Canadian infantry to learn their Urban Operations Instructor course. |
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AN Australian warrant officer has had one of his finest training experiences ever on a train-the-trainer course in Canada.
WO2 Les Hapgood, School of Infantry, arrived in the land of the maple leaf and took part in a seven-week Canadian Urban Operations Instructor (UOI) Course that finished in May.
The course provided valuable experience in urban operations training that could be applied in an Australian context and it was also an opportunity to strengthen historical ties between the Australian and Canadian infantries.
“The Canadian Infantry School has developed an outstanding train-the-trainer package as a means of developing the capacity of its wider army to operate and fight in the urban environment,” WO2 Hapgood said.
“I am looking forward to applying what I have learned to the Australian training and I strongly recommend that additional Australian Army personnel be given the same opportunity as I have had to complete this course in the future.”
During the first module of the course, candidates were instructed in and extensively practised explosive breaching techniques and procedures necessary for the urban environment.
In the second module of training the candidates learned key urban techniques and procedures including marksmanship, breaching skills, tactics and techniques to deal with stability operations. The candidates also participated in high-end warfighting scenarios and exercise planning and control of unit-based urban operations training packages.
A plan is being considered for two Australian Army personnel to attend the first Canadian UOI course in 2008. |
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